17th annual San Francisco International
Asian American Film Festival

The 17th annual San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival wowed its audiences this year. From March 11-18, the National Asian American Telecommunications Association presented a stunning collection of films in celebration of Asian Pacific and Asian Pacific American talent, visions, and dreams. Asian Connections correspondents film reviewers Lenora Chu and Tom Chin were hot on the trail.

The festival opened with the highly acclaimed lyrical drama Three Seasons. Bay Area native Tony Bui directs this exploration of contemporary Vietnam and its chaotic tug-of-war with tradition. At the 1999 Sundance film festival, Three Seasons took home the dramatic Grand Jury prize, the Audience award in Dramatic Competition, and the Cinematography award.

Photo by Peter Stone

The world premiere of documentary film Citizen Hong Kong closed the festivities March 18. Acclaimed editor and director Ruby Yang chronicles Hong Kong's first year of Chinese rule against a backdrop of tumultuous change, borrowed traditions and personal drama. Ruby Yang and diarist Ed Wu participated in the Closing Night Gala at the San Francisco Art Institute.

Between these two masterpieces, the festival offered cinematic candy from all over the world. Countries represented include Taiwan, Japan, Korea, India, Iran, Europe and the U.S. Documentaries abound this year, including the Academy Award nominated films Sunrise Over Tiananmen Square (short subject documentary) and Barbara Sonneborn's Regret to Inform (documentary feature, an Oscar nominee and Sundance '99 award winner for documentary directing).

The festival included feature-length gems as well as short film directorial debuts. A plethora of shorts are grouped by subject, addressing themes such as women's identity, dating, experimental video and gay and lesbian life. And for children and adults alike, animated feature Kiki's Delivery Service magically pulls you into the life of a blooming teenage witch.

For more information, visit www.naatanet.org/festival or call 415-255-4299.

Click here for a review of Tony Bui's Three Seasons